St. Kate's vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern State University is larger than St. Kate's based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 3,651 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Catherine University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Catherine University 9:1; Northern State University 19:1.

St. Kate's vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Kate's or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than St. Kate's ($15,990 vs. $20,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 13% lower than at St Catherine University ($10,600 vs. $12,188).
• St Catherine University is 481.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $42,609 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 330.7% higher at St. Kate's than at Northern State University (about $39,507 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Catherine University than at Northern State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 522.4% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($40,092 vs. $6,441).

St. Kate's vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Kate's or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and St. Kate's.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 70 points higher than at St. Kate's (1000).
• Incoming St. Kate's students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Catherine University 850/1140; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Catherine University 20/26; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Kate's - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than St. Kate's (91.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at St. Kate's vs. 35.2% at NSU.

St. Kate's vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Kate's and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $3,601 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($24,399 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($252 vs. $289).
• More St. Kate's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.